Thor Vegas- Any New Owners Advice?

[2_Dogs_Camping]

We have ordered a new Thor Vegas and are due to pick it up on April 12th 2014. We are first time RV'ers and are really excited about getting our first one!

Any advice is appreciated on items to ensure we include in our walk through. I've read about checking the tire pressure, alignment, VIN for Coach/Chaise etc.

Does anyone have a list they built they can share with us?

Any issues you ran into with your new Axis or Vegas?

Would also love to hear about the good experiences you've had or any tips & tricks you can share.

Hope to be on the road with you all soon!
J&T

[OhhWell]

davidgebo wrote:
I am new to RV.net, and the nuances of how to respond to insulting comments from ignorant people. For you to call my opinion unreasonable or partial is beneath what this forum is intended to accomplish. New RVers, and those wishing to adopt our form of family recreation, depend on experienced opinions and information about our successes and mistakes. I am not partial to Thor products, have no personal interest in Thor manufacturing, I have never owned a Thor product previously. I do reserve judgment on the Vegas we own, because we have not owned it very long. However, as I said, so far, we do like the innovative design, and handling of our Vegas. It does seem to me, however, that you have a major grudge against Thor, and a chip on your shoulder concerning that RV company. For you to call my opinion unreasonable is uncalled for. Give and take is fine, but you stepped over the line. I have valid, informed ideas about RVing, and anyone who asks will get my feelings on a subject I am familiar with. I don't know everything, don't claim to, but I have been RVing for over 35 years, and have owned 10 different RVs. Say what you will, I am no longer responding to your uninformed comments about my viewpoints.

Did you see the part of your statement that I put in bold? I have no problem with a Thor owner enjoying their coach. I am certainly not an elitist; look at the coach in my signature! I do have issue with people making statement like the one I quoted from you. Thor has a business plan that has really been working for them in this economy however "High quality" is not a part of that business plan.

I will say however in all fairness that I have not stepped foot in the new Axis/Vegas platform or in a Tuscany. They may be great. Your own observation of the quality of your unit tells me probably not however.

I didn't think stating that Thor products were on par with ANY OTHER BRAND was anywhere remotely true or a reasonable thing to say. You had an issue with that and took it a bit personally. :h

Enjoy your Thor as you "learn to love it" I will enjoy my old beater :B

[JupiterRT]

Davidgebo....I would suggest just ignoring the condescending and ignorant replies that you have received.....I am interested in your experiences with the Thor Vegas/Axis product, as I am considering the same unit due it it's design which fits my camping and storage needs well.....please do not let the insulting fools that have responded to you, prevent future updates as to your experiences......best of luck to you with the Vegas and hope you enjoy it for many years to come...

[davidgebo]

I am new to RV.net, and the nuances of how to respond to insulting comments from ignorant people. For you to call my opinion unreasonable or partial is beneath what this forum is intended to accomplish. New RVers, and those wishing to adopt our form of family recreation, depend on experienced opinions and information about our successes and mistakes. I am not partial to Thor products, have no personal interest in Thor manufacturing, I have never owned a Thor product previously. I do reserve judgment on the Vegas we own, because we have not owned it very long. However, as I said, so far, we do like the innovative design, and handling of our Vegas. It does seem to me, however, that you have a major grudge against Thor, and a chip on your shoulder concerning that RV company. For you to call my opinion unreasonable is uncalled for. Give and take is fine, but you stepped over the line. I have valid, informed ideas about RVing, and anyone who asks will get my feelings on a subject I am familiar with. I don't know everything, don't claim to, but I have been RVing for over 35 years, and have owned 10 different RVs. Say what you will, I am no longer responding to your uninformed comments about my viewpoints.

[OhhWell]

davidgebo wrote:
We contacted Thor Motor coach, and expressed our disappointment in the quality control, and poor workmanship that was most likely caused by first-year run construction practices.

Uh, nope. First run issues are usually design, functionality and engineering. You got the legendary Thor quality control. If it was the first year Thor had built anything, your rationalization would be valid.

davidgebo wrote:
I do not accept that Thor is of inferior quality as compared to Coachmen, Forest River, or any other manufacturer

I don't think anyone should take your advice as impartial or even reasonable.

[Capeteacher]

Glad to hear your assessment Davidgebo. I am renting an Axis (fraternal twin to the Vegas) in about 3wks. I am looking to buy next year when I retire. I have been reading everything I can find on the Axis/Vegas and welcome any more info you can provide.

[davidgebo]

I do not accept that Thor is of inferior quality as compared to Coachmen, Forest River, or any other manufacturer. Thor has been around for a while, yes, but still, I feel, we did take a bit of a gamble with the very first year of this model coach. But Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, have been around for 100 years or more, and a first year model run of any of their cars can have problems. It is not a problem specific to Thor coaches. Any manufacturer can have problems with first-year mechanical design. We did not go blindly and decide on the Vegas. We researched and studied and checked RV shows, perused magazines and reviews, and did our homework before making our decision. My main criteria was a Ford chassis, with the V-10, which from personal experience is a bullet-proof engine and tranny. Thor is the number one motorhome builder for a reason. If the products they sell were that bad, word would certainly get out quickly, and they wouldn't be num ero uno for long. At this point, we are happy with the Vegas, despite the few fixable problems, and time will tell if we made the right decision for the long haul. Thus far, the down-size was right for us.

[afrescopXx]

Glad to hear about your connubial bliss. It was not intended about any specific couple. What was intended is that, with all that has been written all over the forums, you would buy a product from a manufacturer with questionable quality, especially a model in its first year. I also disagree with you about that too. How long has this company been building RVs? You are almost admitting to be a guinea pig for the manufacturer.

[davidgebo]

First off, afrescop, we did not accept poor quality and poor workmanship. Not at all. When the issues were discovered, after camping the first time, we immediately contacted Camping World, St. Augustine, and they took us right in and repaired the problems quickly, as we had a trip planned. We contacted Thor Motor coach, and expressed our disappointment in the quality control, and poor workmanship that was most likely caused by first-year run construction practices. The service tech at Thor told us to contact him back directly if the problems were not repaired to our satisfaction. I have owned new RVs, trailers, 5th wheel, class A,and C coaches, for 30 years, and not ONE has been trouble-free from the get-go. There is ALWAYS a shake-down cruise that reveals a problem here or there. It is not at all like buying a car. As I mentioned, our brand-new Tiffin had many problems, and Tiffin is considered a high-quality coach. By the way, afrescop, I loved my wife BEFORE I married her.

[afrescopXx]

Why would you expect and accept poor quality just because you bought an entry level coach? Your comment about learning to love your RV is akin to saying I am learning to love my wife. After a few years I might actually like her. The lack of quality for certain RV brands is notorious on these forums. I am certain that there are many new $70,000 Class A MoHos of much better initial and long term quality.

[OhhWell]

davidgebo wrote:
We have 2000 miles on our Vegas, and achieved 9+ MPG, towing our PT Cruiser convertible. We expect to get 10+ MPG, when not towing, when the coach is fully broken-in. I also will get an additional 1 MPG when I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil when I do the first oil change soon.

Really?

I am going to get 4mpg when I install a fan on the back of my coach to push me along.

9+ is great in a gasser and a testament to the benefits of a smaller front profile.

[davidgebo]

We have owned our 2014 Vegas for 3 months, now, and camped and traveled in it several times. We do like it more each time we go out. We have had issues, mostly resolved, dealing with, hurried construction techniques, and sloppy workmanship at the factory. We have had problems with very poor caulking in the bath area, and especially exterior body panel caulking. Interior finish did leave a lot to be desired. You can expect this type of issue with all entry-level motorhomes. We paid just over 70,000 for our coach after a long search. We have had several electrical problems, which are now being addressed by Camping World St. Augustine. This facility, has so far, been a pleasant and professional RV dealer to work with. In all fairness, all RVs, when new, are subject to problems in the first shake-down trip. We down-sized from 2010 Allegro 30DA, a high-end class A. We had far more issues, and more serious problems from the outset with that coach, than we have had with the Vegas. When you do your first walk-around, check under the coach for loose, hanging electrical wiring, especially under the hood. These wires are vulnerable to damage from road debris, since the are so exposed. I spoke with Thor tech support, very responsive folks, and they said they depend on customer feedback to improve quality control at the factory level. They actually contacted us twice, by phone. We have 2000 miles on our Vegas, and achieved 9+ MPG, towing our PT Cruiser convertible. We expect to get 10+ MPG, when not towing, when the coach is fully broken-in. I also will get an additional 1 MPG when I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil when I do the first oil change soon. You will enjoy the ease of handling, performance, and maneuverability of the Vegas. It is also quite comfortable to sleep and live in. It was an adjustment to downsize from a larger coach, but the driveability and economy are good tradeoffs. In addition, my wife is very comfortable driving the Vegas. The big Tiffin coach was much more cumbersome, and bus-like to drive. Even so, that was a nice coach, as well. We are sure you will enjoy the Vegas. The cool design features, and low to the ground feel make the Vegas a fun coach.

[Passin_Thru]

Check everything and make sure the rep goes over all operations. That way you can ask and if it dow'nt work he will know. They may have achecklist to give you like the one they use. Take someone along to double check.
http://www.thisoldcampsite.com/This_old_campsite4/RV_PreDelivery_Checklist.html